Palace Malice Interest Sold, May Race Again
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Three Chimneys Farm has purchased a 50% interest in Palace Malice and the multiple grade I winner could go back into training in 2015, according to an announcement from Dogwood president Cot Campbell. He will ultimately enter stud at Three Chimneys, near Midway, Ky.
Campbell had announced Sept. 5 that the 4-year-old son of Curlin was retired after being diagnosed with a bone bruise in his left hind cannon bone. The injury, detected after his sixth-place finish as the 3-5 favorite in the Aug. 2 Whitney Stakes (gr. I), would heal with several months of inactivity and he could race as a 5-year-old, Dogwood said they were advised by equine surgeon Larry Bramlage. (Related story)
At the time the retirement was announced, Campbell said Dogwood would entertain offers to be submitted to the Lexington law firm of Stoll Keenon Ogden on Sept. 19.
"The somewhat unexpected and unique nature of the Three Chimneys offer was very enticing to us," Campbell said in announcing the 50% sale and possible and possible return to competition of Palace Malice.
"Palace Malice will be examined by a panel of vets on Nov. 15 and if he is 100% racing sound to the satisfaction of Three Chimneys and Dogwood, he will be shipped to Dogwood's barn in Aiken, South Carolina, and prepared for another campaign with Todd Pletcher, his trainer throughout his career. Upon retirement from racing, Three Chimneys will acquire full ownership of the horse," Campbell said.
Palace Malice would race in the name of Three Chimneys Farm/Dogwood Stable, and in Dogwood colors.
From 17 starts, Palace Malice has seven wins (six graded stakes), four seconds, and career earnings of $2,676,135. Highlights of his career include a pair of grade I wins in the 2013 Belmont Stakes and 2014 Metropolitan Handicap; a trio of grade II triumphs—2014 Jim Dandy and 2014 Gulfstream Park Handicap and New Orleans Handicap—and a win in the 2014Westchester Stakes (gr. III).
"We have done business with Three Chimneys for many years, have a high regard for the outfit, and we are impressed with the fire power of the new leadership under Goncalo Torrealba," Campbell said. "This joint ownership between Dogwood and Three Chimneys allows the owners of the four shares in Dogwood's Palace Malice partnership to take a fair bit of money off the table, and still look forward to racing a horse that has had only 17 starts, and will not have his fifth birthday until May 2 (2015)."
"We are enthusiastic and hopeful about this collaboration with Mr. Campbell and the Palace Malice partners," Goncalo Torrealba said in a release. "It is clear that Dogwood has done an exceptional job managing Palace Malice's career to date, and to join them on this journey is exciting. To be involved with the leading son of a two-time Horse of the Year, who demonstrated amazing versatility to win races like the Belmont Stakes and Metropolitan Mile, is what Three Chimneys is all about."